For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Rom 11:36

Thursday, April 5, 2007

"I will stay with you"

William and Mary Tanner were crossing a railroad track some years ago when Mary’s foot slipped and became wedged between the rail and a wooden crosswalk. Frantically she tried to get loose as a train approached around the curve. Her husband attempted to free her. As the express came closer with its brakes screeching, Mary realized it couldn't stop in time. “Leave me, Bill! Leave me!” she cried. Seeing his efforts were useless, he arose quickly and held her in his arms to protect her as much as possible. While bystanders shuddered in horror, the train thundered over them. It was reported that just before the engine hit them, they heard the brave man cry, “I’ll stay with you, Mary!”

This is a good example of the condition of man- Man is fallen and dead in his sins, he is completely helpless and cannot do anything about his condition. Actually man doesn't want to do anything, he likes living in his sin. He is blind, deaf and dead to the truth. As Mary couldn't free herself, she was helpless, so is man, he is stuck to his sin, but unlike Mary, he doesn't want to move out of the way of death- for the wages of sin is death.

The only way for man to see that he is sinful is by the Holy Spirit raising him from the dead, then, and only then, will we want to be saved from the path of destruction. But still man cannot achieve his salvation. We must all still face death, for that is the punishment of our sins. But Jesus Christ died so that we may have eternal life after death. Just as William would not forsake his wife but rather placed his body over her, the same is for Christ-He died for His bride. Even though we are in rebellion to Him, He would not forsake us-He died for us.

This story does not show the true gospel or the grace and love of our Father. Just merely an example of what Christ did. Christ went much further and did much more than any human can possibly imagine, we cannot comprehend all that He did. But we must follow His example."But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8